Ford looks for a good return on the road

The Puritans face two Evo-Stik League South games in four days on the road as they look to cement their position in the top five.

We were better without the ball but now we need to be better on it, especially in the final third

Puritans boss Mike Ford

Saturday’s trip to Biggleswade Town looks the more difficult of the two before the midweek premier division central fixture at mid-table Barwell. But there are no easy games in this division.

United kept a welcome clean sheet against Tamworth at the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium last weekend and boss Mike Ford will be looking for his side to be better offensively.

Despite not taking all three points against Tamworth, Ford said: “We lost seven league games before Christmas last season and we could have lost against Tamworth if we had gone chasing it. The point is better than none, you always want three but we’ve only lost once at home and we’ve not played that well so far.

“Our goals against record in previous games wasn’t that good, we conceded three against St Neots Town, King’s Lynn Town and Kettering Town, so we had to shut-up shop because you can’t keep expecting forwards to bale you out.

“That was our priority against Tamworth, to be very difficult to beat because you won’t pick up points if you keep conceding.

“We showed more resolve in the last two games. We were better without the ball but now need to be better on it, especially in the final third.

“That will be our focus in training this week, to be better in the final third and create more chances. Biggleswade don’t score many goals but don’t conceded many, so it will be another tight game.”